Size and Usage

The jack is flown on the bow (front) of a ship and the ensign is flown on the stern (rear) of a ship when anchored or moored. Once underway, the ensign is flown from the main mast. The size of the jack should be the same as the canton of the ensign.Rick Wyatt, 22 August 1998

images by Joe McMillan, 6 May 2003

During the Bicentennial celebration in 1976, U.S. Navy ships flew the "Don't Tread on Me" jack.Richard Bouchard, 2 July 2000

Description of the flag

The Union Jack of the U.S. has the same number of stars as the ensign. Currently 50 white stars on a blue field.William M. Grimes-Wyatt, 29 April 1996

There is clear evidence that the present model was in use shortly after the Navy was revived in 1794--originally as a blue flag with 13 stars arranged in three rows of 4-5-4.

The rattlesnake flag was revived in connection with the 1975 bicentennial of the U.S. Navy and is now flown in lieu of the regular jack by the oldest ship in regular commission (i.e., the oldest not counting USS Constitution).Joe McMillan, 16 July 1999

"Old Ironsides" regularly flys this 15-star jack in conjunction with the 15-star, 15-stripe ensign. When I was in Boston last year for the 4th of July, she flew them while firing a 21-gun "salute to the nation." For this occasion she also flew three 50-star S&S from her topmasts.Tom Gregg, 17 July 1999

First Navy Jack Revival During Fight Against Terrorism

On 31 May 2002, the Secretary of the Navy has
directed all U.S. naval ships to fly the First Navy Jack for the duration of the war on terrorism, starting beginning September 11, 2002 (Patriot Day.)
Reported by numerous people including Tom Gregg, Joe McMillan, Peter Ansoff, Devereaux Cannon, David Schuetz, Miles Li, Jim Ferrigan ....